António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) at High…

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Forty years ago, Member States made a powerful promise. 

The Declaration on the Right to Development recognized that development, human rights and international cooperation must advance together.  

Today, we celebrate that vision. 

But we also recognize a stark reality:

For millions of people around the world, that promise remains unfulfilled. 

Yet we know how to make it real.

The Sustainable Development Goals provide the blueprint to leave no one behind.

And thanks to the foresight, dedication and resilience of countries, communities and activists of all ages, we've made remarkable progress since the Declaration came into being.

Extreme poverty has fallen dramatically.

Nearly half the world is now covered by some form of social protection.

People are living longer.

And scientific and technological advances have transformed lives and livelihoods and expanded opportunity. 

But today, the promise of development faces new tests. 

Inequalities are widening, leaving countries and communities behind.

Communities continue to struggle with persistent food insecurity and lack of access to water and sanitation.

Rising debt, conflicts, and economic instability are impeding development and economic growth.

The climate crisis is reaching devastating new levels each year, reminding us that there can be no development on a degraded and unhealthy planet.

And while the digital revolution and artificial intelligence hold enormous potential to improve lives, they can also be drivers of exclusion and division. 

Excellencies, 

This anniversary is more than a moment of reflection. 

It is a call to action, to deliver on the promise to protect the right to development for all.

To expand the participation and inclusion of people and countries in global progress.

And to push for more progress.

By building on the renewed commitments of the Second World Summit for Social Development and its Doha Political Declaration, and investing in the proven tools of poverty-reduction:

Quality education;

Food security;

Water and sanitation;

Universal social protection and health coverage;

And technological access for all.

By heeding the Sevilla Commitment's call to mobilize domestic resources, and recapitalize Multilateral Development Banks, changing their business models to massively leverage private finance.

By effectively addressing the severe consequences of debt burdens faced by developing countries through innovative tools like debt pauses and swaps, and initiatives like the Borrowers Platform.

By reforming the international financial architecture, making it more representative and responsive to the needs of developing countries, and more in line with the realities of today's global economy.

By tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and speeding-up the transition to renewable energy.

By forging partnerships and alliances with businesses, civil society and young people.

By re-committing to the human rights and dignity of all people — particularly youth, Indigenous peoples, and the most vulnerable communities around the world.

By ensuring the presence and participation of women at every decision-making table.

And by renewing the spirit of global solidarity that lies at the heart of the United Nations Charter. 

Excellences,

Cet anniversaire nous rappelle que le développement, les droits humains et la paix ne sont pas des aspirations distinctes.

Ils avancent ensemble.

Dans un monde marqué par la division, cette vision peut encore nous unir.

Et les Objectifs de développement durable constituent la voie à suivre.

En ce jour, engageons-nous à honorer la Déclaration sur le droit au développement.

Dans tous les pays.

Pour chacune et chacun.

Et pour notre avenir commun.

Je vous remercie.